Modern Commemorative Market

I picked up a few for Bullion value ($20-$22), I don't see much current value for these short term.

My experience is that in almost all cases you can purchase modern US commemorative issues below their original sale price within a year of release.

These should not be thought of as 'investments' but acquired for their artistic/historical value and collecting interest.

I understand this is a statement of personal experience, but, IMO, it is too broad in its scope. For example, there are a good number of exceptions within various US coin series. I have had many opportunities to profit from the sale of modern US commemorative coins that I purchased directly from the US Mint, for example. I didn't sell any of my coins, but the opportunity for profit was there and I did have honest offers.

A data-driven study of the marketplace will reveal that, within the modern US commemorative series, some issues got "hot" for a period within a few years of release (some almost immediately after issue). During these periods, market prices soared and profits were easy. For example, the Uncirculated (BU) versions of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics Silver Dollars all had an issue price of $31.95, but there was a time when the Rowing and High Jump coins regularly sold for over $300.00. Another example, the BU 1997 Jackie Robinson 50th Anniversary Gold Half Eagle had an issue price of $205; a few years later, after its relatively low mintage became more widely known, the coin had a market price of approximately $4,000. In each case, market prices retreated as time passed - today they trade at a fraction of their market highs - still above most of the other coins in the series, but no longer by such wide margins.

It's important to realize that many today view the modern US commemorative coins as essentially bullion pieces and, thus, their market prices are greatly impacted by precious metal spot prices. I'm not sure if this link will ever be severed.

Here's a list of modern US commemorative coins that today sell for noticeably more than their issue price and have a numismatic premium above their bullion content (there may be others):

- 1996 Atlanta Olympics - Swimming Clad Half Dollar (BU)
- 1996 Atlanta Olympics - Soccer Clad Half Dollar (BU)

- 1996 Atlanta Olympics - Tennis Silver Dollar (BU)
- 1996 Atlanta Olympics - Paralympics Silver Dollar (BU)
- 1996 Atlanta Olympics - Rowing Silver Dollar (BU)
- 1996 Atlanta Olympics - High Jump Silver Dollar (BU)
- 1996 National Community Service Silver Dollar (BU)
- 1996 Smithsonian Institution 150th Anniversary Silver Dollar (BU)
- 1997 National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Silver (BU)
- 1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots Silver Dollar (BU)
- 2001 Buffalo Silver Dollar (BU, Proof)

- 1997 Jackie Robinson 50th Anniversary Gold Half Eagle (BU)

Of course, deals on any/all of the above may be found, but a knowledgeable seller will seek a premium on each of the above.

As noted by nickelsearcher and seconded by jbuck, modern US commemorative coins "should not be thought of as 'investments' but acquired for their artistic/historical value and collecting interest."

Any particular reason for the Atlanta Olympics Commemoratives to have appreciated in price so much relative to other Commemoratives? I mean, all those that wanted these coins could have bought them from the Mint when issued. Why the wait and sudden interest (from 2004 on)?

Perhaps my sample was too narrow, but if you look at the 1996 Swimming in MS68 condition the biggest rise started in 2005: https://www.PCGS.com/pricehistory#/?=9712-68
For the 1996 Soccer MS68 as well: https://www.PCGS.com/pricehistory#/?=9714-68
Same story with Rowing: https://www.PCGS.com/pricehistory#/?=9728-68 And High Jump: https://www.PCGS.com/pricehistory#/?=9730-68

You think that the PCGS price info is not correct? Or perhaps incomplete?

I've gotten in to these precisely because they are easy to pick up cheap. And I like history. Although I hate how much room the OMP takes up, and the cloudy film many proofs develop. So off to ANACS during one of their $10 per dollar and $39 conservation for up to 20 coins specials. They come back looking great.

I've got one of those aluminum 50 slab holders with the clear top. With Anacs' angled top I can quickly find the year I want. And the whole thing makes a nice display piece when I show it to friends.

I'll never understand how ASEs command a big premium over silver. While many of these I basically get for melt. For more than 20 years every ASE was essentially the same design. A very beautiful design. But I love the individual design of each commem. And they mark a place in time (olympics) or remember something from our past. Maybe there just aren't enough history buffs out there.

First time I ever saw one wasn't even the coin. It was outside the Prisoner of War Museum in Andersonville, GA. They had a large plaque saying how some of the proceeds from the sale of that coin helped build the museum. I eventually got one. I just picked up an second one to give to my daugher. Coins aren't her thing, but she did think having that particular one would be a nice memento of our trip.